Apricot tree, &#39;SC2&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of apricot tree, denominated varietally as ‘SC1’ is disclosed and which is mature for harvesting and shipment under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of California about May 3 rd  to May 10 th .

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricottree, ‘Prunus armeniaca L’ and which has been denominated varietally as‘SC2’, hereinafter, and more specifically to an apricot tree varietywhich is characterized as to novelty by bearing medium to large fruitwhich ripen early in the season, and develop under low chilling hourconditions, and which further has a smooth skin, and a bright red blush,and wherein the present variety is ripe for harvesting and shipmentapproximately May 3-May 10 under the ecological conditions prevailing inthe San Joaquin Valley of California.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

The present variety of apricot was originated by the inventors from achance open pollinated apricot cultivar named ‘OrangeRed’ (unpatented)and which is sometimes referred to as ‘Bhart’ in Europe, and which wasfound in a cultivated area in Vina, Calif. in 1993. Open pollinated seedderived from the newly discovered chance open pollinated cultivar‘OrangeRed’ was germinated, and planted in 1994, by the inventors at anorchard which is located in Vina, Calif., in the northern portion of theSan Joaquin Valley. The resulting tree grown from the open pollinatedseed derived from the earlier mentioned chance open pollinated cultivarof ‘OrangeRed’ (unpatented) showed promising characteristics and wasthereafter selected for propagation. The inventors first observed fruitproduced from the new variety of apricot tree during the 1996 and 1997growing seasons. The new variety of apricot tree was first asexuallyreproduced by budding in 1998. In this regard, bud wood from the newvariety was first budded onto ‘Lovell’ peach rootstock (unpatented).These second generation trees were planted on a ranch which is locatednear Bakersfield, Calif. in the southern portion of the San JoaquinValley. These asexually reproduced trees have been continually observedand compared and contrasted with the original chance, open pollinatedseedling and it has been subsequently determined that thecharacteristics of the original chance open pollinated seedling havebeen transmitted to the subsequent asexually reproduced trees.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of apricot tree ‘SC2’ is characterized as to novelty,and is otherwise deemed noteworthy, by producing fruit which are ripefor commercial harvesting and shipment approximately May 3-May 10 underthe ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley ofCalifornia. As compared to the fruit harvested from the ‘OrangeRed’ and‘Castlebrite’ apricot trees (both unpatented) growing in the samegeographical region, the present variety is harvested about 10 daysearlier than the apricot variety ‘Castlebrite’, and 5-7 days earlierthan the ‘OrangeRed’ apricot trees growing at the same geographicallocation. Further, the new variety produces larger fruit in relativecomparison to the ‘OrangeRed’ apricot trees growing in the samegeographical location. Moreover, the tree of the present variety thrivesunder high summer temperatures, which sometimes exceed 45 degrees C, andadditionally is a consistent producer of high quality fruit under thelow chilling hours environmental conditions prevailing in such locationsas Bakersfield, Calif.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are color photographs of various aspects ofthe present plant. The colors are as nearly true as reasonably possiblein color representations of this type. Due to chemical development,processing and printing, the leaves and fruit of the present tree may ormay not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For thisreason, future color references should be made to the color plates asprovided by The Royal Horticultural Society Colour chart and othergeneral color descriptions as provided for hereinafter.

FIG. 1 illustrates the growing habit of a nine year old, secondgeneration tree of the new variety of apricot tree as presently growingduring the 2007 growing season near Bakersfield, Calif.

FIG. 2 shows the bloom characteristics of the ‘SC2’ apricot tree duringthe 2007 growing season.

FIG. 3 shows several fruit of the present variety in differentorientations.

FIG. 4 shows several mature fruit of the subject variety which have beendissected in the axial plane to show the flesh and stone characteristicsthereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of apricot tree, the following has been observed on anine year old, second generation tree, under the ecological conditionsprevailing at an orchard which is located near Bakersfield, Calif. Allmajor color codes are by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart (4^(th)Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.Common color names are also occasionally used.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely complywith the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, and does not constitute acommercial warranty, (either expressed or implied) that the presentvariety will in the future display the botanical, pomological or othercharacteristics as set forth hereinafter. Therefore, this disclosure maynot be relied upon to support any future legal claims including, but notlimited to, breach of warranty for merchantability, or fitness for anyparticular purpose which is directed, in whole or in part, to thepresent variety.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Considered average for the variety. The tree which was            inspected was a nine year old second generation tree growing            on ‘Lovell’ (unpatented) peach seedling rootstock, and which            had attained a height of about 5.5 meters; and a width            dimension of approximately 3.5 meters.        -   Vigor.—Considered moderately high with an annual growth of            about 0.25 meters to about 1.25 meters.        -   Growth habit.—Considered more upright than            upright-spreading. The variety has a regular branching            pattern.        -   Form.—Upright and pruned into a vase shape.        -   Productivity.—Considered highly productive. Depending upon            the fruit set of the tree, thinning will typically be            annually required for fruit of the new tree to reach full            commercial size.        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular. This occurs even in seasons            which have low chilling conditions. The tree is considered            precocious in its fruit production.        -   Fertility.—The variety is not self-fertile, but requires            cross-pollination from a compatible cultivar having            approximately the same bloom time.        -   Canopy density.—Considered dense. The present variety            requires seasonal pruning to maintain the vase shape, and            keep the tree open for light penetration to maintain spur            development and proper development of fruit to an            appropriate commercial size.        -   Hardiness.—Considered hardy when grown under the ecological            conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of            California. The present tree thrives under high (exceeding            45 degrees C) summer temperatures.        -   Chilling requirements.—This variety requires about 525 to            about 575 hours at a temperature below 7.2° C. to permit the            variety to flower in a normal fashion.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—About 33 cm. when measured about 30 cm. above the            surface of the earth.        -   Bark texture.—Rough.        -   Trunk bark color.—The outer ridges of the bark color is grey            (Group N200); valleys in the bark are considered brown            (Group N200B).-   Branches:    -   -   Scaffold branches.—Generally — When measured at a distance            of about 90 cm. above the soil line, the scaffold braches            have a bark texture which is considered mostly smooth.        -   Scaffold branch bark color.—Grey (Group 201A).        -   Lenticels.—Size — About 1-1.5 mm. in width, and about            3.75-6.9 mm. in length.        -   Lenticels.—Color — Considered grey-white (Group 156D).        -   Flowering branches.—Diameter — About 4.5 mm.        -   Flowering branches.—Texture — Glabrous.        -   Flowering branches.—Color — Grey-orange (Group 173A).        -   Flowering branches.—Lenticels — Present and considered            moderate in number, and ranging in count from about 10-15            lenticels per linear cm. as measured at approximately the            mid-point of a flowering branch.        -   Lenticel color.—White (Group 155C).        -   Internodes.—Length — Approximately 1.35 cm. to about 2.1 cm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Leaf form.—Generally — Flat and broadly oval.        -   Marginal form.—Finely crenate and approaching crenulate.        -   Tip.—Shape — Mucuronate.        -   Base.—Shape — Rounded.        -   Leaf size.—Average length — About 89.5 mm.        -   Leaf size.—Width — About 80.1 mm.        -   Leaf thickness.—Average for the species.        -   Leaf color.—Upper surface — Yellow-green (Group 147A).        -   Leaf color.—Lower surface — Yellow-green (Group 148A).        -   Petiole.—Size — The average length, is about 40.6 mm.        -   Petiole.—Diameter — About 1.56 mm.        -   Petiole.—Color — Yellow-green (Group 145D). The upper            surface near the abscission end exhibits a reddish blush            (Group 183B).        -   Leaf glands.—Petiole — 1-3 leaf glands are normally found.        -   Leaf glands.—Shape — Globose in form, and having an average            width of about 0.2 mm. and an average length of about 1.5            mm.        -   Leaf glands.—Position — Alternate, and seen on the dorsal            surface of the petiole, close to the blade.        -   Leaf glands.—Color — Black (Group 202A).        -   Leaf stipules.—Absent.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinately net veined.        -   Leaf buds.—Shape — Ovoid.        -   Leaf buds.—Size — About 2.5 mm. wide, and about 3.2 mm.            long.        -   Leaf bud color.—Considered Gray-purple (Group N186A).-   Flowers:    -   -   Date of first bloom.—On or about Feb. 23, 2007 under the            ecological conditions prevailing near Bakersfield, Calif.        -   Date of full bloom.—Feb. 27, 2007 under the ecological            conditions prevailing near Bakersfield, Calif.        -   Flower buds.—Shape — Ovoid.        -   Flower buds.—Size — About 2.9 mm. wide; and about 4.5 mm.            long.        -   Flower buds.—Color — Gray-purple (Group N186A).        -   Flower size.—At full expansion, the average diameter is            about 2.37 cm.        -   Flower aroma.—Generally speaking, while an aroma is present,            it is very slight or considered mild, and typical of apricot            trees, in general.        -   Flower petals.—Numbers — 5.        -   Flower petals.—Arrangement — Considered overlapping.        -   Flower petals.—Shape — Flat-round.        -   Flower petals.—Length — About 10 mm. to about 14.1 mm.        -   Flower petals.—Width — About 13.2 mm. to about 17.4 mm.        -   Flower petals.—Apex — The apex is rounded.        -   Flower petals.—Base — The shape of the base is round but            narrows at the attachment point.        -   Receptacle.—Peduncle — About 1.4 mm. in length; about            1.8 mm. in diameter; and having a green color (Group 139D).        -   Flower petals.—Surface Texture — Glabrous.        -   Flower petals.—Margins — Considered smooth.        -   Flower petals.—Color — White with a faint red-purple color            around the margins (Group 69A).        -   Sepals.—Numbers — 5.        -   Sepals.—Shape — Oval with a cuspidate apex. The outer            margins cup inwardly.        -   Sepals.—Length — About 5.5 mm. to about 6.6 mm.        -   Sepals.—Width — About 4.5 mm. to about 5.7 mm.        -   Sepals.—Surface texture — Considered glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Color — Red-purple (Group 60A).        -   Stamens.—Numbers — Variable from about 30 to 33.        -   Stamens.—Average length — About 10 mm.        -   Stamens.—Filament length — About 9 mm.        -   Filament color.—White (Group 155C).        -   Anther length.—About 1 mm.        -   Anther color.—Yellow (Group 12B).        -   Mature pollen color.—Yellow (Group 12B).        -   Pistil.—Numbers — 1.        -   Pistil.—Length — About 12.5 mm.        -   Ovary.—Size — About 2.7 mm. in diameter.        -   Ovary color.—Green (Group 139D).        -   Ovary pubescence.—Present.        -   Stigma.—Length — About 10.1 mm.        -   Stigma.—Color — Yellow (Group 3B).        -   Thalamus.—Size — About 5.3 mm. in length; and about 4.6 mm.            in width.        -   Thalamus.—Color — Yellow-green (Group 150C). Further, the            base is highlighted with a red-purple color (Group 60A) at            the sepal attachment.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—When described, firm, ripe condition, that is            (shipping ripe). Date of first picking May 3, 2007.        -   Date of last pick.—May 10, 2007. The aforementioned            harvesting dates are under the ecological conditions            prevailing near Bakersfield, Calif.        -   Fruit size.—Considered average for the species.        -   Average length.—About 53 mm.        -   Average diameter.—About 48.4 mm. when measured at the            suture.        -   Average diameter perpendicular to the fruit suture.—About            44.5 mm.        -   Fruit weight.—The average fruit weight of the new variety is            approximately 63.2 grams.        -   Fruit shape.—Generally speaking it is considered round, and            oblong.        -   Stem cavity.—Size — About 13.4 mm. wide; and about 9.2 mm.            in depth. Only very light tearing is occasionally detected.        -   Stem retention.—Approximately 25% of the stem is retained.        -   Fruit suture.—Generally — Present, and shallow with a depth            of less than about 0.75 mm.        -   Fruit skin.—Texture — Considered smooth and is resistant to            cracking caused by rain.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness — Considered thin, tender and melting.        -   Fruit skin.—Pubescence — Present and very fine.        -   Fruit skin.—Color — The background color is orange (Group            26A). Additionally, a blush color develops and covers about            65%-75% of the skin area. This blush is red (Group 46A).        -   Tendency to crack.—Not observed.        -   Flesh texture.—Considered firm and moderately crisp.        -   Flesh.—Color — Orange (Group 26A).        -   Flesh.—Sugar Content — On average, about 13.8 degrees brix.        -   Flesh.—Aroma — Considered typical of apricots.        -   Flavor.—Mild, sweet and having a sub-acid character.        -   Flesh fibers.—Generally — Present, but sparse. The fibers            are considered short and non-obtrusive.        -   Eating quality.—Considered excellent for both local and long            distance commercial fresh markets.-   Stone:    -   -   Generally.—Considered to be a semi-clingstone.        -   Stone length.—About 30.7 mm.        -   Stone diameter.—When taken in the line of the suture, it is            about 20.7 mm.        -   Stone diameter.—When taken at a position perpendicular to            the suture, it is about 11 mm.        -   Stone color.—Fully dried — Grey-orange (Group 165B).        -   Stone cavity.—Length — About 32.9 mm.        -   Stone cavity.—Width — As measured at the suture, about 23.4            mm.        -   Stone form.—Generally — Considered ovate, and having equal            halves when considered along the suture plane.        -   Stone base.—Shape — Rounded.        -   Stone apex.—Considered more conic than round.        -   Stone ridges.—Generally — Three distinct and sharp ridges            extend from the apex to the base. The distance between the            outside ridges at their widest point is, on average, about            9.7 mm.        -   Stone surface.—Textured.        -   Tendency to split.—The fruit which were inspected showed            that about 35% of the stones had split at full commercial            maturity.        -   Resistance to insects and diseases.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety has not            been tested to expose or detect any susceptibilities or            resistance of any known plant and/or fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of apricot possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing inthe San Joaquin Valley of California, it should be understood thatvariations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident tochanges in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control, andhorticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree substantially as shown anddescribed and which is characterized principally as to novelty by havinga date of harvesting which is about May 3^(rd) to May 10^(th) under theecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley ofCalifornia.